Republican presidential candidate John McCain was boosted significantly after he received endorsement on Saturday night from the governor of Florida, a delegate-rich state that is to hold primary on Jan. 29.

Meanwhile, Democratic contender Barack Obama also received an endorsement from Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the popular Democratic president, John K. Kennedy.

"After thinking about it as much as I have, I don't think anybody would do better than the man who stands next to me, Sen. John McCain," said Florida governor Charlie Crist at a party dinner in St. Petersburg.

The victory in Florida is considered as a key to Republican candidates because of the "winner takes all" rule in the state primary with 57 delegates at stake.

To be supportive, Crist said that he would campaign for McCain in the coming days.

In a response, McCain told reporters that he was "honored and privileged," and vowed to "work very closely with him on the issues" on home insurance and environment, among others.

It was fifth governor endorsement the Arizona Senator has received so far. His strongest rival, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney also has three. Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has support so far from only one governor each.

Calling Obama "a president like my father," Kennedy announced her endorsement for the African American candidate in an editorial on the New York Times released on Sunday.

"It isn't that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough," she said, "We need a change in the leadership of this country -- just as we did in 1960..."

Citing "patriotic, political and personal" reasons, she endorsed the Illinois Senator as the president "not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."

On the Democratic side, Obama has been endorsed by five governors and Senators including former presidential candidate in 2004, John Kerry. However, his rival, New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has had 10 endorsements and also picked by the prominent newspaper, the New York Times, as their choice for the Democratic candidate.

Editor: Yan